The dark-breasted spinetail is a species of bird in the Furnariinae subfamily of the ovenbird family Furnariidae. It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.
Region
Amazon Basin and Andean foothills
Typical Environment
Occurs in lowland and foothill forests of Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, especially along major rivers. Prefers dense second growth, river-island scrub, vine tangles, and edge thickets near oxbow lakes and seasonally flooded forests. Often associated with early successional habitats created by flooding or disturbance. Generally stays within a few meters of the ground inside dense cover but also forages at mid-levels in shrubby stands.
Altitude Range
0–1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A furtive ovenbird of dense river-edge thickets, the dark-breasted spinetail is most often detected by its sharp chips and rattling trills rather than seen. Like many Synallaxis, it builds a bulky, domed stick nest with a tubular entrance hidden low in tangled vegetation. It frequently cocks and fans its rufous tail while foraging. The species remains year-round across much of the western and central Amazon Basin.
Temperament
skulking and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually found singly or in pairs that maintain small territories year-round. Pairs often duet and keep close contact calls while moving through dense cover. Nests are bulky domed structures of sticks with a side entrance, placed low in thickets.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations include sharp chip notes and a fast, rattling trill that may be given in duet. The song carries well from inside thickets but is brief and repeated at intervals.
Plumage
Rufescent-brown upperparts with a contrasting dusky to dark gray breast band and paler underparts. The throat is whitish to pale, setting off the darker chest. Tail is long, rufous, and often held cocked, with stiffened, spiny-tipped feathers typical of spinetails.
Diet
Primarily consumes small arthropods such as insects and spiders. Gleans from leaves, vine tangles, and dead foliage, and occasionally probes bark or suspended debris. Forages methodically, often pausing to flick and fan the tail. Rarely, it may take tiny seeds or fruit, but animal prey dominates.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in dense understory and edge thickets along rivers, in young second growth, and on river islands. Often uses vine tangles, bamboo patches, and shrubby stands near water.
